Cleat guard



Aug- 3, 1965 W. D. ANDERSON 3,198,160

CLEA T G UARD Filed Jan. 23, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l I7 15M W15 14/ l? 'I MM/ INVENTOR. WARREN D. ANDERSON ATTORNEY.

Aug. 3, 1965 w. D. ANDERsoN 3,198,160

CLEAT GUARD Filed Jan. 2s, 1964 2 sheets-sheet 2 4l INVENTOR 4l F l G 6 WARREN D. ANDERSON ATTORNEY.

United States Patent Oliice ll@ Patented Aug. 3, 1965 3,198,160 CLEAT GUARD Warren D. Anderson, 421 Ocean Drive W., Stamford, Conn. Filed Jan. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 339,768 11 Claims. (Cl. 114-218) rIhis invention relates to a guard for use with a nautical cleat.

Nautical cleats consist of a base portion adapted to be fastened to the deck of a boat and a pair of arms extending from said base generally parallel to the deck but spaced therefrom.

The nautical cleat has proven over a period of many years to be a secure, simple and quick means for fastening a line to a deck or spar. However, the projecting arms of the cleat constitute a hazard in that lines, sails and articles of clothing frequently become accidentally caught under the arms and result in personal injury and/ or prevent safe control of the boat. For example, the mooring cleat on the foredeck of a sailboat often acciydentally catches the jib or spinnaker sails or the jib sheets or spinnaker lines. Another example would be the mooring cleats at the stern of a sailboat which frequently catch the mainsheet while jibbing.

While various design modications of the nautical cleat have previously been proposed to make it snagproof, these modied designs have usually sacriced the simplicity, safety and convenience of the conventional cleat.

It has been found that a cleat guard made in accordance with the present invention will make the cleat snagproof and ye-t retain the time proven advantages of the standard cleat, and in addition provide certain new advantages.

An object of this invention is to provide a guard which will prevent lines, `sails and articles of clothing from accidentally catching under the arms of such a cleat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guard which performs the above function on a cleat to which a line has been belayed, as well as on an empty cleat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guard which may be readily engaged or disengaged with one hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guard which augments the security of a line belayed to the cleat.

In one aspect of the invention, an elastic barrier member is fastened to the deck and passes over and engages the arms of the cleat, providing a barrier -to access to the opening betwen the deck and the arms of the cleat.

In another aspect of the invention, the barrier may comprise relatively inelastic cords attached to the boat deck beyond each end of 4the cleat arms and at spaced points along an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cleat. These cords may be provided with sufcient slack so that when both are held at their midpoints and drawn toward each other, they form triangular gures with the apices lying over each end of the cleat arms.

In still another aspect of the invention, a relatively elastic cord may be connected to the midpoints of the two inelastic cords and may be of such length that it draws the center points of the inelastic cords toward each other. The construction is such that the assembled barrier may lie on the deck on either side of the cleat, or the elastic cord may be placed along the longitudinal axis of the cleat and on top of its arms so that each end of the cleat arms rests in the apex of one of the triangular formed inelastic cords.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the connection between the inelastic and elastic cords may comprise a ring.

In another aspect of the invention, the cleat may be provided with longitudinally extending, aligned grooves at the end of each arm, and the barrier may be a single elastic cord attached `to the deck along the longitudinal axis of the cleat and at points spaced beyond the ends of the arms. The length of the cord may be such that it becomes taut when lying on the top of the cleat arms and in the grooves at the ends thereof.

In still another aspect of the invention, the spacing of the deck attaching means from the ends of the arms is such that when the barrier is in place on the cleat, the included angle between the deck and cord leading to the ends of the cleat arms is such that a line hitting it will ride up over the cleat. Such angle has been found preferably to be about 45.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specilication and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a boat cleat to which the principles ofthe invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cleat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cleat to which a modied form of the principles of the invention has been applied;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cleat shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cleat to which still another modied form of the principles of the invention has been applied;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational View of the cleat shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational View of the cleat shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 but with a line belayed on the cleat.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a boat cleat 10 comprising a base 11 having aligned arm means 12 and 13 integral therewith. The boat cleat 19 is attached to a deck 14 by threaded fasteners 15.

A barrier 16 may be attached to the deck 14 by bolts 17. The barrier 16 as shown lin FIGS. 1 and 2 may comprise a continuous, relatively inelastic cord 18 having eyelets 19 fastened to each end, through which the bolts 17 pass in fastening cord 18 to the deck. Bolts 17 for cord 1S are located along an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cleat 10, and spaced therefrom a distance as will be explained later. The length of the cord 18 is such that when grasped at its midpoint and drawn toward cleat 1t), its midpoint forms the apex of an isosceles triangle that lies over the end of the arm 13. The spacing of bolt 17 from the end of arm 13 preferably should be such that with the midpoint of the inelastic cord lying over the end of arm 13, the angle or (FIG. 2) should be such that a relatively long line L (FIG. `6) sliding along the deck 14 at a high speed will ride up over the barrier and not be caught between the bottom of the arm 13 and deck 14. It has been found that an angle of about 45 produces the desired result.

.the `proper locating of barrier 16 on the There is another inelastic cord 20 identical with cord `1S and it is attached tok deck 14 in spaced relation from Vsuch as synthetic rubber or the like. The cord 21 may comprise a line that is knotted at 22 and 23 to the relatively inelastic cords 16 and 26, audits free ends may be ,connected together by a sleeve fastener 24 surrounding saidfree ends and the'adjacent strandor cords 21.

From the foregoing it is evident that the resilience in ,the cord 21 maintains cords 18 and 20 tautrwhen inl place over the cleat 10. The fact that the apices of the triangles fformed by the cords 13 and 2t) lie within the length of the cleat 1t) causes formation of pockets 25. and 26 receiving the ends of arms 13 and 12, respectively. Furthermore, the relative inelasticity of the cords 1S and 20 assists in cleat 10 with only one hand, even in darkness.; V K f Referring to FIG. 7, when it is desired to belay aline vto the cleat, the barrier 35 maywith facility be removed therefrom and laid along one side of the cleat on the deck 14. When a line L is belayed to the cleat 27, the barrier 357m'ay be placed in position on cleat 27, thereby preventing the line from becoming loose from the cleat. i

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a cleat 27 similar to cleat 10 is attached to the deck 14 by screws 23. Cords 13 and 420 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are replaced by relatively inelastic It could with equal cords 29 andV 3i) that are double stranded and knotted to f metallic rings 31 and 32. The free ends of the cords 29 and 3@ are fastened together by a gromrnet 33 through which bolts 34 pass to fasten them to deck 14. The element 35 is similar to relatively elastic element 21 of n FIGS; 1 and 2, and it isknotted to the rings 31 and 32. The construction and arrangement are such that when the relatively elastic element 35 lies on top of the cleat 27 it maintains rings 31 and 32 over the ends of the'cleat arms, acting inthe same manner as pockets 25 and 26 of FIG.

1 actto locate the barrier in eifective position. kThe barrier shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can with equal facility be applied to or removed from the cleat 27 with one hand.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6,' the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a cleat 36 which isl modified mets 49 and bolts 41 that are in alignment'withV each other and inthey same vertical plane as that including notches 37 and 33. The cord 39 may be similar to cord 21 ofFIG. 1 and is under sufficient tension when applied to the cleat 36 so that a line L, .moving along deck 14 in 'the .direction (1, will'be deflected in a direction b when 'it strikes the elastic barrier cord 39 and will pass over the top of cleat 36 without catching between its arms and the deck 14. The engagement of elastic cord 39 with notches 37 and 38 prevents it from slipping otf of the cleat V36 if struck by a line from either end. While cord 39 is shown as a single elastic cord, it may comprise a central l elastic cord portion joined to Vrelatively inelasticcord `end'portions that cooperate with the notches 37- and 3S.

Although the various featuresof' the improvedVv cleat barrier have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and rcertain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination, a supportga cleat, having aligned arms, mounted kon said support; and an elastic barrierv member attached to said support at points spaced from the ends of the arms of said cleat and adaptedto pass over and engage the ends of said arms to prevent the arms of said cleat from snagging lines sliding along said support.

2. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted on said support, said arms including notches aligned with each other; and an elastic barrier member attached to said support at two points spaced from the ends of said arms and in alignment with said notches, whereby said barrier member can be made to `pass over said cleat and to engage said notches in said arms to prevent said arms from, snagging lines sliding along said support.

3. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mountedvon said support; an elastic barrier member; means for fastening said member at four points to said support such that pocket means are formed to receive ,Y the endsof said arms to prevent said arms from snagging lines sliding along said support.

d. `In combination, a support;'a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted on said support; an elastic barrier member havingtwo leg portions attached to each end of a connecting center portion; means for attaching the free vends of said leg portions at four points on said support ,such that when said center portionvr lies along the longivtudinal axis of ysaidcleat, saidleg portions form pockets for receiving the ends of said arms.

5. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted on said support; an elastic barrier member having two leg portions of relatively inelastic mate- `rial attached to each end of aconnecting-centerportion of relatively elastic material; means for attaching the free vends ofsaid leg portions V,at four points on saidV support such that when said center portion ylies along the longitudinal axis of said cleat, said leg portions form pockets for receiving the ends of said arms. n

6. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted yonV said support, said arms including notches aligned with each other; and an elastic barrier member attached to said support at two points spaced from the ends ofsaid arms ,and in alignment with said notches, said barrier member comprising a center relatively Velastic portion and relatively inelastic; end portions, whereby said barrier member can be made to pass'over said cleat and to engage said notches in said arms to prevent lsaid arms from snagging lines sliding along said support. Y Y

7. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, Nmounted on said support; and an elastic barrier member attached to said support and cooperable with said cleat to prevent the arms of said cleat from snagging lines sliding along said support, said barrier member including a central elastic portion and relatively inelastic end portions.

8. In combination,v a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted on said supportgran elastic barrier for 'said cleat comprising a Vcentral-portion attached at each yend, thereofrto a ring; two leg portions` attached' to each ring; and means for connecting the free ends of said leg portions to said support so that when said central portion lieson top of said cleat along its longitudinal axis, said rings receive the ends of the arms of said cleat.

9. In combination, a support; a cleat, having aligned arms, mounted on said support; a barrier'for said cleat comprising a central elastic portion attached at each end `vthereof to varing'; two leg Yportions of relatively inelastic Y material attached to each ring; and means'for connecting the free ends of said leg portions to said support so that Whensaid central portion lies o n top of said cleat along its longitudinalaxisasaid rings receive the ends of the arms of saidfcleat.

V10. A cleat barrier for a cleathaving aligned arm portions, said cleat being adapted to be attached to a support, said cleat barriercomprising a relatively elastic element of a length relative to said cleat such that when attached to a support to which said cleat is attached at points spaced 5 from the ends of said cleat arm portions, and with said barrier lying on top of said cleat, the included angle between said support and barrier is about 45.

11. A cleat barrier for a cleat having aligned arm portions, said cleat being adapted to be attached to a support, said cleat barrier comprising a relatively elastic element of a length relative to said cleat such that when attached to a support to which said cleat is attached at aligned points spaced from the ends of said cleat arm portions along the longitudinal axis of said cleat, and

with said barrier lying on top of said cleat, the included angle between said support and barrier is about 45.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,034,222 7/12 Dych 114-218 2,795,025 6/57 WeXler 24--231 2,876,729 3/59 Georgette 24-115 l0 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT; A CLEAT, HAVING ALIGNED ARMS, MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT; AND AN ELASTIC BARRIER MEMBER ATTACHED TO SAID SUPPORT AT POINTS SPACED FROM THE ENDS OF THE ARMS OF SAID CLEAT AND ADAPTED TO PASS OVER AND ENGAGE THE ENDS OF SAID ARMS TO PREVENT THE ARMS OF SAID CLEAT FROM SNAGGING LINES SLIDING ALONG SAID SUPPORT. 